We’re in Valencia visiting Andres Serrano, founder of a studio located in the city center that stands out for its thoughtful and artisanal approach to tattooing: Little Tattoo Valencia. Specializing in Black and Grey, Andres works in an intimate, professional creative space where each project is born from deep listening and a clear artistic vision, as he tells us in this interview.
Andres, welcome to Tattoo Life. Tell us: how did your journey into the world of tattooing begin?
Thanks for having me! It’s an honor to be featured here. I became interested in tattooing at the age of 15. I started obsessively exploring skin art: collecting references, analyzing styles, and following artists closely. But it wasn’t until I was 18 that I got my first machine and began tattooing seriously. From that moment on, it’s been a fully self-taught journey with trial, error, and constant improvement. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a way of life.
You’re the founder of Little Valencia. How would you describe your studio and its philosophy?
Little Tattoo Valencia was born from the idea of creating an intimate, professional space where every project is approached with meticulous care. It’s not a high-volume studio; it’s a place where each client is heard, their vision understood, and a custom piece is created with intention and precision. For me, tattooing is not just about ink, it’s about crafting an aesthetic and emotional experience for both the artist and the person wearing it.
How did you come to work in Black and Grey, and why did you choose this style in particular?
I’ve always been drawn to Black and Grey for its direct yet nuanced visual language. With just tonal values, you can create depth, atmosphere, and emotion. This style fits my artistic vision: I prefer the suggestive over the literal, the expressive over the decorative. Working in layers allows me to build volume and texture without oversaturating the skin, so the tattoo can breathe and age gracefully. It’s a format that suits me perfectly and allows me to tell visual stories without relying on color.
What do you aim to express with your work? Is there an emotion, atmosphere, or message guiding your creations?
I want each piece to have presence to be more than just a well-executed image, but something that truly communicates. Sometimes that’s strength, other times it’s calm or a quiet spirituality.
I love working with intense expressions, gestures, gazes, and strong light-and-shadow contrast.
I also focus on visual impact at different distances: the tattoo should resonate from afar and reveal more detail up close. For me, a tattoo must have soul.
Is there a theme or motif you particularly love to tattoo? And why?
I’m drawn to themes that are rich in texture and contrast, anything that lets me play with volume, bold shadows, and fine details. I especially enjoy classical sculptures, intense portraits, or darker, horror-inspired aesthetics. These subjects allow me to create powerful, visually engaging work. I also like tattooing portraits of well-known figures or movie characters, as they give me the chance to capture unique expressions and strong features. While I enjoy variety, these kinds of projects are the ones that truly ignite my passion.
Which artists, tattoo or otherwise, have influenced you most on your journey?
In tattooing, I really admire artists like Robert Hernández and Thomas Carli-Jarlier, who have elevated Black and Grey realism to incredible technical and visual levels. I’m also inspired by the darker, moodier work of Ralf Nonnweiler and Anrijs Straume. Thanks to Instagram and social media, I’m constantly exposed to artists from all over the world. You absorb influences and often without realizing it.
That kind of exposure is really nourishing for creative growth.
Outside of tattooing, I take a lot of inspiration from classical artists like Caravaggio and Bernini. Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and Bernini’s emotive marble sculptures deeply inform my approach to design and storytelling.
From when you started tattooing to today, how has your drawing style and technique evolved? Was it a conscious transformation?
Absolutely. In the beginning, I was focused on mastering the basics, on making clean, readable images. Over time, I began to think of tattoos more as full compositions: how they read, how they interact with the body, and how they work from every angle.
Now I mix traditional drawing with digital tools and AI-generated references. I don’t let AI design tattoos for me, but I use it as a tool for texture ideas and compositional inspiration. When used right, it really can elevate the creative process. I’ve also refined my pigment application, working in layers, respecting the skin, and always thinking about how the tattoo will heal and age. It’s a continuous learning curve, and I’m always looking to improve.
Black and Grey requires precision and subtlety. Do you follow specific technical guidelines or philosophy to ensure your tattoos endure over time?
Definitely. For me, saturation and skin respect are key. Whenever possible, I split even smaller pieces, for example like a portrait, into two sessions. This allows me to work calmly, layer thoughtfully, and deliver a more durable result. I avoid overloading small areas with excessive detail, knowing that ink spreads subtly over time, risking legibility.
I focus on bold blacks, clear contrast, and strategic clarity.
Old techniques like “scraping in” a diluted ink have become obsolete. I saturate evenly, even in lighter tones.
For instance, using a mix of three drops of black with shimmers of water creates a grey that heals like an opaque tone, especially on lighter skin. I’ve been experimenting more with true “opaque greys,” following examples like Thomas Carli-Jarlier. It gives form to highlights without losing detail.
Looking toward the future: what do you still dream of exploring, whether in tattooing or beyond?
What I crave most is to keep tattooing and evolving as an artist. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching yourself grow with every piece learning more about skin, technique, and design. I’m in a place where I want to experiment, try new methods, and see what direction unfolds. I’m not rushing to settle a signature style—but I do hope that, over time, my work becomes unmistakably recognizable as mine. Lately, I’ve been curious about using color.
Having focused primarily on Black and Grey, it feels exciting to consider introducing subtle color touches or even working in full color occasionally. It’s a natural progression in my creative journey. I’m also proud to be part of the Intenze pro team. That role brings excitement and responsibility—I’m looking forward to participating in major conventions alongside artists I deeply admire. Being in that environment pushes me to grow stronger day by day.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: keep tattooing, keep evolving, and never lose the passion that brought me here. That joy is what fulfills me—and what I hope to continue for the rest of my life.
